Tapping pipes having piercing means for tapping beverage containers



March 15, 1966 s, NlcKo TAPPING PIPES HAVING PIERCING MEANS FOR TAPPINGBEVERAGE CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1964 N VENTOI? 5 sianle y Nzcko WM7M C72! ys United States Patent 3,240,392 TAPPING PIPES HAVING PIERCINGMEANS FOR TAPPING BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Stanley Nicko, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Flake Ice Machines, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofIllinois Filed Apr. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 363,195 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-82)This invention relates to new and improved tapping pipes for use indispensing beer or other beverages from cans or other containers. Thetapping pipes are especially well suited for use in connection with abeverage dispenser of the type disclosed and claimed in my copendingapplication, Serial No. 276,515, filed April 29, 1963, now Patent No.3,195,779, issued July 20, 1965.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedtapping device having inner and outer concentric tapping pipes forintroducing gas under pressure into a beverage can or other container,and for withdrawing the beverage therefrom.

A further object is to provide such a new and improved tapping device inwhich the inner tapping pipe extends substantially below the lower endof the outer tapping pipe, and in which the lower ends of both pipes arecut off at a diagonal and are formed with sharp points for penetrating adiaphragm or closure on the beverage container.

Another object is to provide such a new and improved concentric orcoaxial tapping device having means forming a seal between the upper endportions of the inner and outer tapping pipes.

A further object is to provide such a new and improved tapping devicehaving means for disengageably securing the inner tapping pipe withinthe outer tapping pipe, so that the tapping device may readily beassembled and disassembled for cleaning.

Another object is to provide such a new and improved tapping devicehaving sealing means for closing the upper end of the space between theinner and outer tapping pipes.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational section showing a beverage can which is fittedwith a tapping device to be described as an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational section showing the mannerin which the tapping device is inserted through the diaphragm of arubber closure plug on the beverage container.

FIG. 3 is an elevational section showing the rubber closure plug in itsinitial state, before the tapping device is inserted through the plug.FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational section showing a modified tappingdevice which is constructed so that the inner tapping pipe may readilybe removed from the outer tapping pipe.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing another modified tapping devicehaving a quick action clamp 'removably securing the inner tapping pipewithin the outer tapping pipe.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation taken generally as indicated by theline 6-6 in FIG. 5.

It will be seen that FIG. 1 illustrates a tapping device 10 as used inconnection with a beverage container 12 for holding beer, carbonatedbeverages or the like. It will be understood that the tapping device'10may also "ice be used in connection with bottles or other types ofcontainers.

The tapping device 10 forms part of a beverage dispensing system 14whereby the beer or other beverage may be dispensed from a faucet orvalve 16 which receives the beverage from the can 12. The beverage isforced out of the can 12 by supplying carbon dioxide or other gas underpressure to the can 12, preferably from a carbon dioxide tank orcylinder 18. A valve assembly 20 may be connected between the carbondioxide tank 18 and the tapping device 10, to regulate the pressure ofthe carbon dioxide and also to provide for shutting off of the flow ofcarbon dioxide.

The illustrated beverage can 12 is of the usual type, made of thin sheetmetal or equivalent material. Typically, the can 12 may have a capacityof one gallon. As shown, the can 12 has a substantially cylindrical sidewall 22 which is closed by upper and lower end walls 24 and 26.

The upper wall 24 of the can 12 is formed with a single opening 28 whichis closed and sealed by a plug or closure 30 made of rubber or othersoft rubber-like material. The plug 30 is preferably of the constructiondisclosed and claimed in the above-mentioned co-pending application,Serial No. 276,515. The plug 30 may be molded in one piece from rubber,synthetic rubber or various soft resilient plastic materials.

As shown, the plug 30 is generally in the form of a circular disc and isprovided with an annular peripheral groove 32 for receiving the top wall24 of the can 12 around the opening 28. Annular flanges 34 and 36 project outwardly from the plug 30 above and below the groove 32 forretaining the plug in the opening 28. The outside diameter of the plug30 at the bottom of the groove 32 should be substantially larger thanthe diameter of the opening 28 so that the plug 30 will be compressed toa substantial extent when it is inserted into the opening. In this waythe plug 30 will form a tight seal for the opening 28. Moreover, thesealing action of the plug is enhanced by the provision of an outwardlyand upwardly flaring frusto-conical wall or surface 38 at the upper sideof the groove 24 and on the underside of the flange 34. The taperingsurface 38 is adapted to be compressed against the top wall 24 so as toform a tight seal therewith.

As shown to advantage in FIG. 3, the plug 30 has an imperforate centraldiaphragm 40 which is adapted to be penetrated by the tapping device 10.The diaphragm 40 prevents the escape of the beverage or the carbonationuntil the tapping device is inserted. The plug 30 is insertedimmediately after the can 12 has been filled and is effective to sealthe can during shipment and storage, prior to use in the dispenser 14.

The diaphragm 40 is formed integrally with the plug 30 and is interposedbetween an upper axial bore or opening 42 and a lower axial bore oropening 44. Just below .the diaphragm 40, the lower bore 44 is formedwith an enlarged annular recess or cavity 46 which is adapted to receivethe remnant or flap formed by the diaphragm 40 after it has beenpunctured by the tapping device 10. If it were not for the recess 46,the diaphragm might be severed entirely from the plug and might dropinto the beverage in the can 12. It is undesirable to permit thediaphragm to drop into the beverage, because there is a possibility thatthe diaphragm may clog the dispenser or may be dispensed through thefaucet 16 with the beverage. x

The illustrated tapping device comprises an inner tapping pipe 50through which the beverage is withdrawn from the can 12. The inner pipe50 is relatively long and is adapted to extend to a point closelyadjacent the bottom of the can 12 so that virtually all of the beveragecan be withdrawn by the inner pipe.

The tapping device 10 also comprises an outer tapping pipe 52 which isconcentrically received around the inner pipe 50. The inside diameter ofthe outer pipe 52 is greater than the outside diameter of the inner pipe50 to provide an annular space or opening 54 therebetween,

through which the carbon dioxide or other gas is introduced into thebeverage can 12. The outer pipe 52fis relatively short and is adapted toextend only a short distance into the can 12 so that the carbon dioxideis introduced into the upper portion of the can. Thus, the inner pipe 50extends a considerable distance below the lower end of the outer pipe52.

In the construction shown in FIG. 1, a welded or brazed joint 56 isformed between the upper end of the outer pipe 52 and the upper portionof the inner pipe 50. The welded joint 56 closes the upper end of theannular space 54 and also forms a secure mechanical connection betweenthe inner and outer pipes 50 and 52.

As shown in FIG. 1, hose or terminal fittings 58 and 60 are connected tothe upper ends of the inner and outer pipes 50 and 52. For convenience,the upper end of the inner pipe 50 is bent laterally to form an elbowsection 62. The hose fitting 58 is adapted to receive a flexible hose ortube 64 which extends to the faucet 16.

The hose fitting 60 extends laterally or radially at right angles fromthe outer pipe 52 and is adapted to receive a hose or tube 66 which isconnected to the valve assembly 20 for the carbon dioxide tank 18.

The lower ends of the inner and outer pipes 50 and 52 are formed withsharp points 68 and 70 for penetrating the diaphragm 40 of the closureplug 30. In this case, the points 68 and 70 represent the sharpenedextremities of diagonal end surfaces 72 and "74 which are formed on thelowerends of the inner and outer pipes 50 and 52.

At its lower end, the plug 30 has a reduced sleeve or nipple portion 78which projects downwardly from the plug. The lower bore 44 extendsaxially through the sleeve portion 78. The diameter of the bore 44should be considerably less than the diameter of the outer tapping pipe52 so that the sleeve portion will be stretched to a considerable extentwhen the outer tapping pipe is inserted through the bore 44. In thisway, the sleeve portion 78 tightly grips the outer tapping pipe 52 andprevents the tapping device from being pushed outwardly through the plug30 by the gas pressure in the can 12. The pressure of the gas on thesleeve increases the gripping action of the sleeve. It will be apparentthat the sleeve provides a tight seal around the outer tapping pipe 52.Moreover, a seal is provided at the point Where the diaphragm 44 waspunctured by the outer tapping pipe 52.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified tapping device 80 which is constructed sothat the inner tapping pipe 50' may readily be removed from the outertapping pipe 52. This construction facilitates the cleaning of thetapping device. It will be seen that the outer tapping pipe 52 isprovided with a head or end fitting 82 which is welded or otherwisesecured to the upper end of the pipe 52. The inner pipe 50 extendsthrough and is guided by an axial bore 84 formed in the head 82. Thebore 84 has an enlarged upper portion 86 which is adapted to receive anO-ring or other sealing ring 88, which may be made of rubber, syntheticrubber, various plastics, or other soft resilient materials. The O-ring88 is adapted to form a seal between the outside of the inner pipe 50and the inside of the head or end fitting 82.

In this case, an annular collar or flange 90 is brazed or otherwisesecured to the outside of the inner tapping pipe 50 and is adapted to beinserted into the enlarged bore 4 86 for engagement with the upper sideof the O-ring seal 88. The upper end of the bore 86 has internal threads92 to receive the external threads 94 on an annular retainer or bushing96. The lower end of the bushing 96 is engageable with the flange orcollar so as to press the collar against the O-ring 88.

The tapping device 80 may be disassembled by manually unscrewing thebushing96 and withdrawing the inner pipe 50 from the outer pipe 52 andthe end fitting 82. Thus, it is easy to disassemble and clean thetapping device 80.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another modified tapping device 1010 which maybe disassembled very quickly and easily. In this case, the upper end ofthe outer tapping pipe 52 is provided with an outwardly projectingannular flange 102. A similar flange 104 is provided on the inner pipe50, opposite the upper side of the flange 102. An O-ring or othersealing ring 106 is adapted to form a seal between the flanges 102 and104. The O-ring 106 may be made of rubber, synthetic rubber, variousplastics, or other soft resilient materials. The O-ring 106 ispreferably confined in circular cavities or recesses 108 and 110 formedin the opposite faces of the flanges 102 and 104.

The flanges 102 and .104 are normally clamped together by a clampingbail 112 which is swingably mounted on the flange 102 and is adapted tosnap over a detent 114. It will be understood that the position of thebail 112- may be reversed as between the flanges 102 and 104. As shown,the bail 112 is generally semicircular. The ends of the bail 112 arebent inwardly to form inwardly projecting pivots 116 which are rotatablyreceived in radial bores 118 formed in the flange 102. In this case, thedetent 114 takes the form of a collar or flange which is welded orotherwise secured to the elbow portion 62 of the inner pipe 50, abovethe flange 104.

The tapping device may be disassembled simply by swinging the bail 112downwardly to disengage the bail from the detent 114. The inner pipe 50may then be withdrawn from the outer pipe 52. It is easy to remove theO-ring 106 from the cavity 108 in the lower flange 102.

The tapping device 100 is reassembled by replacing the O-ring 106,inserting the inner pipe 50 through the outer pipe 52, and swinging thebail 112 upwardly with suflicient force to snap it over the detent 114.The interference between the bail 112 and the detent 114 providessuflicient clamping force upon the O-ring 106 to insure that the O-ringwill maintain a perfect seal.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions and equivalentsmay be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined inthe following claims.

I claim: 1k1. In a tapping device for beverage containers or the thecombination comprising inner and outer concentric tapping pipes with anannular opening extending downwardly therebetween,

means forming a welded joint between the upper end of said outer pipeand the outside of said inner pipe, said joint providing a solidintegral seal between said outer and inner pipes,

said pipes having terminal fittings for connecting the upper ends ofsaid pipes to hoses or the like,

said inner pipe being substantially longer than said outer pipeandextending substantially below the lower end of said outer pipe,

each of said pipes having a diagonal lower end surface with a sharppoint'for penetrating a rubber diaphragm or the like on a beveragecontainer. 1k2. In a tapping device for beverage containers or the thecombination comprising an elongated inner pipe for withdrawing thebeverage from the container,

an outer pipe disengageably received around said inner pipe inconcentric relation thereto and providing an annular space between saidinner and outer pipes for introducing gas under pressure into thecontainer,

a pair of opposite radial flanges on said inner and outer said flangeshaving opposed radial faces,

a sealing ring between said opposed radial faces of said flanges to forma seal therebetween,

a clamping bail swing-ably mounted on one of said flanges,

and means engageable by said bail for clamping the flanges together,

said inner pipe extending substantially below the lower end of saidouter pipe,

each of said pipes having a lower end with a sharp point for penetratinga diaphragm or the like on the beverage container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 108,898 11/ 1870Fischer 2'2282 721,985 3/1903 Wells 285320 852,365 4/ 1907 Willis285-320 1,817,691 8/1931 Jacobsen 285364 2,091,737 8/1937 Longway 22283FOREIGN PATENTS 620,481 5/ 1961 Canada.

54,890 1/1891 Germany. 21,142 10/1899 Great Britain. 299,632 11/1928-Great Britain. 468,683 1/1952 Italy.

LOUIS I. DEM BO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

1. IN A TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS OR THE LIKE, THECOMBINATION COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER CONCENTRIC TAPPING PIPES WITH AANNULAR OPENING EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREBETWEN, MEANS FORMING A WELDEDJOINT BETWEEN THE UPPER END OF SAID OUTER PIPE AND THE OUTSIDE OF SAIDINNER PIPE, SAID JOINT PROVIDING A SOLID INTEGRAL SEAL BETWEEN SAIDOUTER AND INNER PIPES, SAID PIPES HAVING TERMINAL FITTINGS FORCONNECTING THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID PIPES TO HOSES OR THE LIKE, SAID INNERPIPE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LONGER THAN SAID OUTER PIPE AND EXTENDINGSUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE LOWER END OF SAID OUTER PIPE, EACH OF SAID PIPESHAVING A DIAGONAL LOWER END SURFACE WITH A SHARP POINT FOR PENETRATING ARUBBER DIAPHRAGM OR THE LIKE ON A BEVERAGE CONTAINER.